Can Post Oak Mall be saved?

13,991 Views | 93 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by A Net Full of Jello
PS3D
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4:41p, 9/20/23
Honest question. It's been in the news...the Bealls (Gordmans, if only for a matter of weeks) is still vacant, the mall is now 40...and of course the Macy's building is owned by the city.

It seems like it could be better utilized, but for what, exactly? Seems like the city should coax more retail into the center of town instead of little "islands" around town....or at least use more "non-traditional" tenants like Fieldhouse USA.
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tu ag
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5:15p, 9/20/23
AG
As a mall?
No.

At least not for very long. I stopped going to malls decades ago.
As something better? Sure. It is still prime real estate. Just make sure the city of CS doesn't buy it.
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australopithecus robustus
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5:20p, 9/20/23
Some blighted malls across the US are being wisely repurposed/gentrified as large medical specialist facilities.
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Reload84
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5:37p, 9/20/23
Maybe it could be redeveloped into a retail restaurant village that would include both a twin tower high-rise hotel and senior living complex with shops and restaurants. Maybe we could use all the public money the city throws around to entice Pappadeau's and El Tiempo to locate here. Add in a grocery store ---HEB Upscale Central Market, etc. Those two restaurants would generate traffic out the wazoo and make it a retail magnet as it was intended to be in the beginning. Senior residents could benefit from concierge service and amenities shared with the hotel. The hotel would give family members a place to stay while visiting the older folks. Maybe also locate the proposed YMCA at the site to provide activities for all?

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meinkee
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7:31p, 9/20/23
I don't know anyone who has been out there in years. On the plus side for those who hate the medians....there aren't many.
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angus55
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8:06p, 9/20/23
I wish they would re-model Macy spot to lure in Belk. SEC SEC SEC. Seriously I like Belk's when I was in them in Mississippi, DFW and Austin
We'll win this war, but we'll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans that we've got more guts than they have, or ever will have. We're not going to just shoot the sons-of-b******, were going to rip out their living G*******d guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy Hun c********** by the bushel-f****** basket. War is a bloody killing business. You've got to spill their blood or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shot them in the guts.
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Bullpen Chias
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In reply to angus55 • 9:56p, 9/20/23
AG
angus55 said:
I wish they would re-model Macy spot to lure in Belk. SEC SEC SEC. Seriously I like Belk's when I was in them in Mississippi, DFW and Austin


Belk can't be far behind Macys
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Lite81
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10:41p, 9/20/23
They should demolish and build a median obstacle course.
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Russell Bradleys Toupee
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8:01a, 9/21/23
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Crawdaddy
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In reply to Reload84 • 8:21a, 9/21/23
AG
Reload84 said:
Maybe it could be redeveloped into a retail restaurant village that would include both a twin tower high-rise hotel and senior living complex with shops and restaurants. Maybe we could use all the public money the city throws around to entice Pappadeau's and El Tiempo to locate here. Add in a grocery store ---HEB Upscale Central Market, etc. Those two restaurants would generate traffic out the wazoo and make it a retail magnet as it was intended to be in the beginning. Senior residents could benefit from concierge service and amenities shared with the hotel. The hotel would give family members a place to stay while visiting the older folks. Maybe also locate the proposed YMCA at the site to provide activities for all?

A lot of the bigger cities have repurposed malls into essentially "cooler" malls with more unique shops, a couple beergardens, a nice restaurant or two, and some greenspace for dogs and kiddos to run around.

In other words, kinda all you just said.

It's PRIME location. Could definitely make it into a neat landmark
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doubledog
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8:28a, 9/21/23
Yes the CoCS will buy it all, just to keep it on the tax roles. I know does not make any sense to normal people, but to some it is a epiphany.
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George Costanza
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In reply to Crawdaddy • 8:58a, 9/21/23
"A lot of the bigger cities have repurposed malls into essentially "cooler" malls with more unique shops, a couple beergardens, a nice restaurant or two, and some greenspace for dogs and kiddos to run around."

The cities repurposed them or private developers did?
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phillytex24
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9:04a, 9/21/23
The mall can be saved if stores within the mall get local tax-free status. Then local businesses can thrive within it! It would be a great way to improve the local economy. The city could sell College Station swag, and make a profit that way.
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AgTrip
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9:18a, 9/21/23
We could have the Christmas parade around the parking lot!
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Crawdaddy
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In reply to George Costanza • 9:58a, 9/21/23
AG
Honestly... Not sure.

Place I'm thinking of is in Denver. Obviously wouldn't be the exact same thing, but I think there's a lot we could emulate and make our own.

https://stanleymarketplace.com/about/
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Bob Yancy
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10:10a, 9/21/23
I would not have been in support of the Macy's purchase, but I understand why the prior council did it. What's happening to Post Oak Mall is happening all over the country. Public private partnerships are being used everywhere to repurpose malls. If you Google it you'll find no shortage of news to research it. Nothing to report now but stay tuned, there could be some novel uses announced in the not too distant future. There's a lot of varied interests reaching out.
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wareagle044
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In reply to Crawdaddy • 11:14a, 9/21/23
Crawdaddy said:
Honestly... Not sure.

Place I'm thinking of is in Denver. Obviously wouldn't be the exact same thing, but I think there's a lot we could emulate and make our own.

https://stanleymarketplace.com/about/

I was in Park Meadows mall outside of Denver this past weekend and was having 1990s Post Oak Mall flashbacks -- that place was packed out. It's really about having the right stores that complement the demographics to drive traffic.

https://www.parkmeadows.com/en/directory/map/

Or could just have Sports Illustrated redevelop it…

https://abc3340.com/sports/university-of-alabama/alabama-tuscaloosa-sports-illustrated-college-town-resort-campus-black-warrior-river-full-service-hotel-condominiums-vacation-ownership-club-signature-si-fit-healthwellness-center-restaurants-and-entertainment?fbclid=IwAR3YqPyo_sIdx6iDrjYBepm5KYMNp2pvD_Ocms4J3sJGdZgH0YwsQ5k9Yk0_aem_AaPldYZ5MUbVNPlFeqAebD5H0Z4TkKCA6qFEqZuX1-EYIq7ZAiJ9iPziWueIQyUnHwY&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
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agnerd
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11:27a, 9/21/23
AG
With amazon and online shopping proliferation, there's less capacity to support malls. Your mall has to be a destination, and usually with other attractions to drive the number and quality of buyers it takes to support a mall. Galleria in Houston is basically a tourist destination. Woodlands Mall has the waterway and concert venue across the street. Memorial City mall is surrounded by thousands of millionaires. You have to have lots of people nearby with very large expendable incomes to support the luxury clothes/shoe/handbag retailers that keep your mall looking nice.

Honestly, I think there's too much competition from Dallas, Houston and San Antonio/Austin to support a mall and multiple major department stores long term. Not enough trophy wives in Range Rovers that will drop $1000 without even thinking about it.
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Stupe
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11:45a, 9/21/23
S
An indoor entertainment center would be great. Skating rink, go karts with a good track, a good mini put, games, bowling, etc..

A better version of Grand Station.
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maroon barchetta
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12:29p, 9/21/23
Live music venue

Convention center

Biggest indoor paintball business in the world. Host tournaments!

Sweetwater Music location for Texas and the Southwest. It works in Fort Wayne, IN. Combine their brick and mortar store with a live music venue. Make one section into hotel space.

Not familiar with Sweetwater? Here you go:

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AgTrip
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In reply to agnerd • 12:43p, 9/21/23
agnerd said:
Honestly, I think there's too much competition from Dallas, Houston and San Antonio/Austin to support a mall and multiple major department stores long term. Not enough trophy wives in Range Rovers that will drop $1000 without even thinking about it.
I disagree. There may not be trophy wives in range rovers but I have seen enough students in range rovers on parents' expense accounts that don't think twice about spending. I'm surprised there isn't an Apple store with all the students here. ( I know MSC has a version).

I agree the right stores need to be the draw. The stores in the mall now are basically people buying overstocked clothes and shoes to resell them. Feels like a high-end thrift store, if that's even a thing.

Another pet peeve of mine is I try to shop locally, especially around Christmas time. When I can't find the right size and ask if it can be ordered for me to pick up later, I'm told to " go to the website and order it there." Totally defeats the purpose of coming in. I should have gone online to begin with!
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PS3D
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12:51p, 9/21/23
Bob Yancy said:
I would not have been in support of the Macy's purchase, but I understand why the prior council did it. What's happening to Post Oak Mall is happening all over the country. Public private partnerships are being used everywhere to repurpose malls. If you Google it you'll find no shortage of news to research it. Nothing to report now but stay tuned, there could be some novel uses announced in the not too distant future. There's a lot of varied interests reaching out.

Part of the problem (a big problem, really) is CBL's lack of interest in maintenance or coaxing interesting tenants in, and a good part of the 2000s was spent raising rents and driving long-term tenants, including higher-end, local establishments out. Stores like Scripture Haven and Taste of the Tropics are last of a kind.

The other problem is demographics and demand. There's no reason to redevelop the mall as an outdoor center if there's the same low-end apartments around it (most malls that are redeveloped into high-end "districts" are in nice parts of town...otherwise it just gets torn down for Walmart and friends).

I think the city needs to step in and take a role in the mall. It bugs me how people here condemn the City of College Station for buying the Macy's building while Bryan engages in selling out parkland to developers.

I believe there are lease agreements for retail only in the mall (Don't quote me on that). It shouldn't just be repealed...I don't want to see anchor spaces leased by the university or some fly-by-night call center, but it needs something that's retail-adjacent (and integrated with the main mall).

agnerd said:
With amazon and online shopping proliferation, there's less capacity to support malls. Your mall has to be a destination, and usually with other attractions to drive the number and quality of buyers it takes to support a mall. Galleria in Houston is basically a tourist destination. Woodlands Mall has the waterway and concert venue across the street. Memorial City mall is surrounded by thousands of millionaires. You have to have lots of people nearby with very large expendable incomes to support the luxury clothes/shoe/handbag retailers that keep your mall looking nice.
Honestly, I think there's too much competition from Dallas, Houston and San Antonio/Austin to support a mall and multiple major department stores long term. Not enough trophy wives in Range Rovers that will drop $1000 without even thinking about it.

Even from the start, Post Oak Mall was advertised to shop local as opposed to going to Houston for retail. Granted, the Cypress outlet mall was still about 25 years away.
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I am a Russian Bot
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1:01p, 9/21/23
Gen x hasn't done a damn thing except pat themselves on the back
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tb9665
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1:21p, 9/21/23
Wish it could be successful like Baybrook Mall that has been there for years and has had some changes to keep up with the times.
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ElephantRider
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In reply to Lite81 • 1:38p, 9/21/23
AG
Lite81 said:
They should demolish and build a median obstacle course.
Since the city loves medians so much, they can put them all in one place and admire them all at once!
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Tibbers
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In reply to Bob Yancy • 3:15p, 9/21/23
Bob Yancy said:
I would not have been in support of the Macy's purchase, but I understand why the prior council did it. What's happening to Post Oak Mall is happening all over the country. Public private partnerships are being used everywhere to repurpose malls. If you Google it you'll find no shortage of news to research it. Nothing to report now but stay tuned, there could be some novel uses announced in the not too distant future. There's a lot of varied interests reaching out.


Wasn't there talk about an esports arena being put in the mall? The location really would be perfect for a music venue. Parking lot is already there.
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Hornbeck
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In reply to Tibbers • 3:21p, 9/21/23
AG
Ostensibly that's what CoCS bought Macy's for.

Have not seen any movement when I've been to the mall a few times recently.
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Tibbers
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In reply to Hornbeck • 3:47p, 9/21/23
Well that certainly would be a creative endeavor. Yeah I remember hearing that was the plan over a year ago. I wonder why there hasn't been any movement on that.
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FlyRod
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4:16p, 9/21/23
Bulldoze it and create a green space. With the new farm market there it could be very pleasant.
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Animal Eight 84
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4:45p, 9/21/23
AG
I went there a couple of weeks ago with the wife to the Bible supply store and to Dillards.

A couple decent restaurants with mall access could tip the scales to attracting other special shops and breathe some life back into the place.
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Stupe
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4:45p, 9/21/23
S
I know this gets joke about a lot on here but I'm not kidding.

There is no way that there will be a green space that big next to the highway.
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PS3D
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In reply to Animal Eight 84 • 5:00p, 9/21/23
Animal Eight 84 said:
I went there a couple of weeks ago with the wife to the Bible supply store and to Dillards.

A couple decent restaurants with mall access could tip the scales to attracting other special shops and breathe some life back into the place.
The restaurants at the mall is one way they could improve without pouring money into the property. Casa Ole has literally been there for 40 years (40 years this November), while Chuck E. Cheese's doesn't open into the mall corridor (and is not exactly dining). Between the mall entrance and the former Bealls area there's room to add more restaurants.

Tibbers said:
The location really would be perfect for a music venue. Parking lot is already there.

We've talked about the lack of big acts in Bryan-College Station, and part of the problem is the proximity to Houston and Austin, not just the ineptitude of TAMU. Besides, a music venue means that the building will be empty 90% of the time anyway.
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Bob Yancy
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In reply to Tibbers • 5:00p, 9/21/23
Yessir. Multiple interests are ongoing. Can't get into specifics at this time. Have a great evening!
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Andrew Dufresne
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6:26p, 9/21/23
Manchu Wok been holding the food court down since the 90s
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wareagle044
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In reply to Tibbers • 7:16p, 9/21/23
Tibbers said:
Bob Yancy said:
I would not have been in support of the Macy's purchase, but I understand why the prior council did it. What's happening to Post Oak Mall is happening all over the country. Public private partnerships are being used everywhere to repurpose malls. If you Google it you'll find no shortage of news to research it. Nothing to report now but stay tuned, there could be some novel uses announced in the not too distant future. There's a lot of varied interests reaching out.


Wasn't there talk about an esports arena being put in the mall? The location really would be perfect for a music venue. Parking lot is already there.


Stampede has a stage but it's small.

Whatever happens with it, the exterior needs an overhaul. It's ugly AF
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